Know your limits

Celebrating the limitation of colour

In a world of choice and plenty, it can be freeing to embrace the concept of limitation. The world tells us we can have it all  - however, we disagree. In fact we advocate for restrictions and restraints when designing a garden. After all, a garden is really a celebration of its limits. Let me explain why.

Gardens are already largely defined by their unchangeable location and position on the planet. Similarly, the soil and unique climate is not something we can easily manipulate. When you take these fundamental limitations, and marry them to the wish-list of how you then want the garden to feel and perform - you are quickly faced with a long limiting list.  We love this. It's a foundation to which we can then creatively play with our own layers of  limitations. For us, we enjoy exploring the limitation of colour. This is one of the things that makes us fairly unique in our approach. 

As a husband and wife duo, we have spent the past few years designing gardens big and small across the UK. Our different backgrounds in botanical illustration and design education have led us to a joint appreciation of the importance of colour in art and design. In order to really curate something breath-taking, we must understand that a restrained palette actually brings freedom and life to an idea. 


Defining your palette  

A great design starting point for us is to look at the surrounding area. We take inspiration from the natural materials directly surrounding a space. Often we look further afield to the heritage and history of a site. We always discover inspirational connections to materials and colours by simply looking into more deeply into the context of a garden. If the garden is designed with a specific atmosphere in mind, we might consider a planting palette first by which we then bring all the material choices into line. More often than not, it’s an organic process that always hinges off a respectful sensitivity to the site.  

 
Setting a ‘colour rule’

Once we have identified the palette, we set down a foundation for colour. This means we make a rule to follow. Our material choices, textures, details and planting are all subject to this rule. Even the minute details of how something looks when it has gone to seed is something we will consider. Depending on the project, we may have one unifying colour, or a primary pallet of say 2 or 3 main colours. Either way, if something doesn’t follow the rule it is unlikely to make it into the design without seriously having to defend its purpose. 
 
There is real freedom in having a colour rule as this allows you to make decisions with confidence.  Instead of limiting ourselves to one or two materials in garden, we are free to introduce a range of textures - just as long as they follow the colour rule. When working on the plant scheme, even after the limiting factors of soil type and location have been identified - there are still so many wonderful plants to choose from. However, by creating a colour restriction here, we embark on the journey to clever curation. It's not the easy route, in fact it takes a lot of thought and creativity. However, the result is always more cohesive. 

Most of us follow this same principle in life, when choosing an outfit, or preparing a meal for example. When done well, the rule might not even be that obvious to the viewer. However, it is in these subtleties that we create the sublime.

Narrative 

If colour becomes the hook on which everything hangs, the eye is more enticed by shape and structure. Imagine painting over an old wall with one solid colour; the textural imperfections and the play of light immediately become more apparent. The same effect can be applied in a garden to create a narrative with shape and texture. Amongst unified tones, the eye is drawn to the breathtaking sculptural qualities of each plant or material. This helps to frame a vignette, or allows materials to disappear in order to allow the plants to tell their own story. 

 
Breaking the rules

The great thing about a self-imposed rule is that you can break it when you want to. When doing so, it is brings purpose and contrast to that expression. Introducing pops of the unexpected can create a moment in a garden. Colour is just one of the ways we enjoy expressing our creativity in a garden. For more information on some of our designs, and how we work, why not follow us on instagram @careygardendesignstudio or visit our website www.careygardendesign.co.uk.